Fountain Odom

Few attorneys practice in the areas of eminent domain and inverse condemnation. Fewer still can claim to be truly proficient in these areas of the law. It's the rare attorney indeed who is not only highly skilled in them, but whose work has actually shaped the law in his state—and that would be Fountain Odom.

Attorney Fountain Odom has spent a career spanning over 50 years protecting the interests of North Carolina citizens and small businesses in cases that involved the government taking their property, or diminishing its value through regulation. He has successfully represented over 500 clients in eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases, many of which resulted in multi-million dollar settlements or verdicts. His practice has also included the representation of seriously injured clients in a variety of personal injury matters.

Born in Rocky Mount, NC to sharecropper parents from Southern Georgia, he was named Thomas LaFontine Odom at birth, and given the nickname "Fountain" by a schoolteacher and classmates because he talked so much. Fortunately for his clients, he has used that power of speech to great advantage in the courtroom and at the bargaining table.

Fountain Odom has consistently been rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell, a respected attorney peer rating system, for many years. This is the system's highest rating, and is given to attorneys who merit high marks from their peers not only for exceptional legal knowledge and skill, but for dedication to professional ethics.

In addition to diligently serving his clients, Fountain has a long record of service to his community and the state of North Carolina. His public service includes 14 years as a North Carolina State Senator, six years as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner (two years as Chair, and two years as Vice Chair) and six years on the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Commission (two years as Chairman).

A man of many and varied interests, Fountain owns a vineyard, grows Christmas trees, and has established a neutraceutical company. He is also an experienced pilot who has flown planes and hot air balloons. Fountain is proud to be an active member of the NC Beekeepers' Association, which previously named Beekeeper of the Year in 2007. Fountain has also received a number of other awards, including a Presidential citation and American Red Cross award for saving a young boy from drowning; a newspaper profile appropriately summed him up as an "uncommon common man."

Fountain is married to his wonderful wife, Carmen, who is an accomplished woman in her own right, having served as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as well as several other prominent positions. Together, Fountain and Carmen Odom preside over a blended family of six children and eleven grandchildren with a few great grandchildren on the way!

Areas of Practice

Eminent Domain & Land Condemnation

Property Litigation

Personal Injury

Civil Litigation

Bar Admissions

North Carolina, 1962

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, LL.B, 1962Phi Alpha Delta

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